Alliance Leadership
Our Dedicated Team
The Ports-to-Plains leadership team reflects a strong, grassroots approach to Future Interstate Governance, guided by local and regional voices across America’s Heartland. The Ports-to-Plains Alliance is led by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of Mayors, City Council Members, Economic Development officials, and business leaders from all nine states along the corridor. Their work is strengthened by dedicated Advisory Board members, professional staff, and technical consultants who provide policy, planning, and engineering expertise. Together, this collaborative leadership structure is committed to advancing regional prosperity, infrastructure investment, and long-term economic competitiveness.
Board of Directors
The Ports-to-Plains Alliance Board reflects the broad geographic reach and multifaceted expertise of the region it serves, with leaders representing communities from across its multi-state North American corridor. Board members bring diverse professional perspectives — from elected officials and economic development leaders to business and industry experts — working collaboratively to advance transportation infrastructure, regional economic growth, and cross-sector engagement across rural and urban landscapes.
John Osborne
Chair, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
President / CEO, Lubbock EDC
Lubbock, Texas
Milton Pax
Vice Chair, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Dumas, Texas
Tom Thompson
Treasurer, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Mayor, City of San Angelo
San Angelo, Texas
Brad Bekkedahl
Secretary, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
State Senator – North Dakota
Williston, North Dakota
John N. Bertsch, CFP
Executive Board Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Certified Financial Planner
Plainview, Texas
Deb Cottier
Executive Board Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Chair, Heartland Expressway Association
Chadron, Nebraska
Lori Blong
Board Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Mayor, City of Midland
Midland, Texas
Sid Cauthorn
Board Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
President / CEO, The Bank and Trust Del Rio, TX
Del Rio, Texas
Lori Chatterley
Board Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Mayor Pro Tem, City of Raton
Raton, New Mexico
Mike Duffy
Board Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Account Manager KLMR AM/FM Radio
Lamar, Colorado
Bobby Gonzales
Board Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
City Councilman / Board President Lamesa EDC
Lamesa, Texas
Terry Jaques
Board Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Commissioner, Lincoln County
Limon, Colorado
Mark McBrayer
Board Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Mayor, City of Lubbock
Lubbock, Texas
Gloria McDonald
Board Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
City Council Member, City of Big Spring
Big Spring, Texas
Cole Stanley
Board Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Mayor, City of Amarillo
Amarillo, Texas
Aaron Valdez
Board Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Mayor, City of Eagle Pass
Eagle Pass, Texas
Victoria Vara
Board Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Executive Director, Sonora EDC
Sonora, Texas
Justin Bennet
Board Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
County Commissioner, Union County, NM
Des Moines, New Mexico
Alliance Staff
The Ports-to-Plains Alliance staff brings deep, hands-on expertise in transportation policy, finance, and corridor operations. With backgrounds that include former TxDOT leadership and staff roles, federal and state transportation programs, economic development, and multi-state coalition management, the team provides day-to-day execution and strategic guidance to advance Future Interstate development and support the Alliance’s grassroots, volunteer-led mission.
Lauren Garduño
President / CEO, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Wingate, Texas
Joe Kiely
Vice President of Operations, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Limon, Colorado
Tina Scarborough
Business Manager, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Lubbock, Texas
Cal Klewin
Associate Staff Member, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Executive Director, Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
Bowman, North Dakota
Advisory Board & Consultants
The Advisory Board and consultants support the Alliance by providing specialized expertise in legislative advocacy, policy analysis, and funding strategy. Drawing on experience with federal and state transportation programs, congressional engagement, and grant development, they help position Future Interstate priorities for authorization, appropriations, and competitive funding — ensuring corridor initiatives are aligned with national policy goals and funding opportunities.
Stacey Benningfield
Advisory Council, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Texas Transportation Director, RK&K
Austin, Texas
Andrea Calhoon
Advisory Council, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
District Manager, Haxtun Conservation District /
Chief Experience Officer, Centennial Mental Health Ctr., Inc.
Holyoke, Colorado
Rex Chitty
Advisory Council, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
General Manager Asphalt Division, Jones Bros. Dirt and Paving
Odessa, Texas
Arturo Garza
Advisory Council, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Economic Development Committee Member,
Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas
Eagle Pass, Texas
Brenda Gunter
Advisory Council, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Former Mayor, City of San Angelo
San Angelo, Texas
Fabian E. Mendoza Jr., COL, USA (RET)
Advisory Council, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Sr. Vice President, Texas Mountain Region STV, Inc.
Fort Worth, Texas
Curtis Parrish
Advisory Council, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Judge, Lubbock County
Lubbock, Texas
Chris Reed
Advisory Council, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Sales Associate, Wright Asphalt Products, LLC
Houston, Texas
G. Brint Ryan
Advisory Council, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Founder, Chairman / CEO, Ryan
Dallas, Texas
Doug Walterscheid
Advisory Council, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
President, J. Lee Milligan
Amarillo, Texas
John R. Weisman
Advisory Council, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
President, Hunter Industries, LTD
San Marcos, Texas
Moon Won
Advisory Council, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Administration, Texas Tech University College of Engineering
Lubbock, Texas
Cheri Huddleston
Legislative Consultant, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
State Legislative Consultant, Hance Scarborough, LLP
Austin, Texas
David Pore
Legislative Consultant, Ports-to-Plains Alliance
Federal Legislative Consultant, Hance Scarborough, LLP
Washington, District of Columbia
Join the Leadership Network
Qualified individuals and organizations with expertise in transportation, policy, planning, or economic development are invited to learn more about engaging with the Ports-to-Plains Alliance and helping shape the future of a nationally significant interstate corridor.